206 AN INTRODUCTION TO CHILD STUDY
ciple, he can easily solve the remaining problems. More-
over, his memory of the correct solution is far better than
his memory of the mere mechanics of the solution. If the
principle is clearly explained to the children who are not
able to discover it for themselves, they can readily learn to
apply it to situations solved by the same general plan. Learn-
ing is greatly facilitated by gaining insight into the internal
organization of the problem. Instruction in problem solving
involves helping children to discover the organizing prin-
ciple in a situation. This is true even in the preschool
period and becomes increasingly important as the child
grows older.
The attitudes of persons in the child's environment have
a subtle influence on his learning. A child's self-confidence
is fostered not only by the acquisition of skills under favor-
able conditions of instruction but also by attitudes of persons
in his environment and the opportunities offered to think
for himself. If a parent considers a brother or sister superior
in some respect, the other child is likely to think of himself
as inferior and to accept his parent's judgment as final.
If parents always make decisions for their child, demanding
obedience to their edicts, the child grows up without con-
fidence in making decisions for himself.
Of course, certain important decisions must occasionally
be made by the parents on the basis of their superior ex-
perience and knowledge. This the children can learn to
understand, and not complain as one six-year-old did, "When
it's something that doesn't matter much, mother lets us
decide, but when it's something important, she makes the
decision." The parent should gradually let the child make
increasingly important decisions for himself and take the
responsibility for his own decisions. For example, children
should be given some choice of food. If children eat with
adults who are served a wholesome diet, they may be given
a freedom similar to that of adults to eat the food offered,
with the understanding that there will be no substitutes for
any dishes rejected.